Piano Laboratory Program
The Piano Laboratory Program at Western Kentucky University is designed to provide piano pedagogy students and future teachers with actual teaching experience in private and group settings while serving our community in providing a musical education at the piano. All teachers in the Piano Laboratory Program are either recent graduates or are currently enrolled in a piano or pedagogy course in the Western Kentucky University Department of Music.
The Piano Laboratory Program is currently enrolling for Fall 2024 for PLP 2, and PLP Private Lesson Packages. Please read below for details to see which fit is the best for your family. Complete the enrollment form to start the application process and/or contact Dr. Jessie Welsh directly.
Note: There is no new PLP 1 class for Fall 2024.
Please read below for details to see which offering best fits your family. Complete the enrollment form below to start the application process or contact Dr. Jessie Welsh directly.
This Fall 2024 class is reserved for piano students who completed PLP 1 in Spring 2024 No new enrollment for this class will be accepted. Continuing students are not required to complete an interview but should still complete an enrollment form by Monday, August 26, 2024.
Instruction includes a weekly thirty-minute group lesson immediately followed by a thirty-minute private lesson. Class meets 5-6PM on Tuesdays in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, and students are required to attend the full hour. Students in PLP 2 will strengthen their reading skills, continue learning more advanced rhythms and technical patterns, and build performance confidence. In the group setting, students will engage in musical games, singing, ear training, creative activities, and informal performances. Private lessons include a variety of materials, including sequenced method book songs, rote songs, and holiday music.
Tuition (for one semester)
- $30/semester materials fee
- $260/semester tuition
- Includes 12 group classes/lessons, 1 dress rehearsal, and 1 semester-end performance
PLP 2 Calendar: Tuesdays, 5-6PM in FAC 360
- Week 1: September 3
- Week 2: September 10
- Week 3: September 17
- Week 4: September 24
- Week 5: October 1
- Week 6: October 15
- Week 7: October 22
- Week 8: October 29 Halloween Piano Party (Costumes Encouraged!)
- Week 9: November 5
- Week 10: November 12
- Week 11: November 19
- Week 12: November 26 Cocoa & Cozy PJ Night (Holiday Pajamas Welcome!)
- Week 13 (Dress Rehearsal): December 3 in FAC 189 (Recital Hall)
Important Dates
- Fall Break: October 8—no lessons or classes
- Recital: Monday, December 9 at 6PM in FAC 189 (Recital Hall)
- We willmeet on Tuesday, November 26
Performance Classes (Optional)
Students in all programs are invited to participate in the monthly PLP performance classes at no extra charge. Performances will take place on the following Mondays, 5-6:30PM
- September 30, 2024
- October 28, 2024
- December 2, 2024
12 Private Lessons, 3 Performance Classes, and 1 Semester-End Recital
The private lesson package is designed for all ages and levels. Please contact Dr. Jessie Welsh about enrollment for the Spring 2024 semester and complete the enrollment form. New students may be asked to meet for a brief interview, in which Dr. Welsh or Ms. Drybrough will assess student readiness. Continuing students are not required to complete an interview but should still complete an enrollment form by Monday, August 26, 2024.
Admittance into the program is dependent upon a successful interview and teacher availability. Scheduling will be based on teacher availability and student preference. You will be asked to list three possible lesson times, as we work to accommodate all students’ schedules.
Instruction includes weekly 45-minute lessons with a private teacher in the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center and monthly group performance classes. Group performance classes are held three times during the semester on Monday nights, 5-6:30. Students are expected to attend every lesson and group class, as well as the semester-end performance. Lessons are taught by current piano and piano pedagogy students, as well as recent graduates. Dr. Jessie Welsh oversees the teachers and monitors student progress throughout the semester.
Tuition (for one semester)
- $30/semester materials fee
- $600/semester lesson tuition
- Includes 12 45-minute weekly private lessons, 3 group performance classes, 1 dress rehearsal,and a final-semester performance.
Group Performance Classes
- Students enrolled in the private lesson package are required to participate in the 3 performance classes during the semester, Monday evenings, 5-6:30PM:
- September 30
- October 28 Costumes Welcome!
- December 2
Private Lessons: Weekly, Scheduled Individually
- Week 1: Week of September 2 (No lessons on Labor Day; Monday students will make up this day on Monday, November 25)
- Week 2: Week of September 9
- Week 3: Week of September 16
- Week 4: Week of September 23
- Week 5: Week of September 30
- Week 6: Week of October 14
- Week 7: Week of October 21
- Week 8: Week of October 28
- Week 9: Week of November 4
- Week 10: Week of November 11
- Week 11: Week of November 18
Monday students only: Lessons on Monday, November 25 - Week 12: Week of December 2
- Week 13 (Dress Rehearsal): December 2, 5-6PM in FAC 189 (Recital Hall)
Important Dates
- Fall Break: No lessons October 7-13
- Thanksgiving Break: No lessons November 26-December 1
- Recital: Monday, December 9 at 6PM in FAC 189 (Recital Hall)
PLP Policies for All Offerings:
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Enrollment forms must be completed and submitted to the WKU Music Department or directly to Dr. Jessie Welsh (via email to jessica.welsh@wku.edu) by Monday, August 26, 2024 to secure your child’s spot. Class enrollment and/or lesson times are not guaranteed until this form is completed.
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Tuition will be billed through the WKU Bursar’s Office (via US Mail) and should be paid immediately upon receipt. Credit card and check are both accepted. The PLP program can no longer accept individual checks or cash, and all tuition payments will be handled by the Bursar’s office (beginning Oct. 2023).
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By enrolling in any of the above offerings, students commit to a minimum of two semesters of study and may be automatically billed by the Bursar’s office for the second semester of study.
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Students are required to have a home instrument for daily practice. By enrolling in any of the above offerings, students commit to having daily access to or purchasing an acoustic piano or a full-size (88-key) weighted keyboard. Please contact Jessie Welsh with specific questions regarding instrument purchase.
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Any lessons or group classes missed by the student will not be made up or refunded. Please contact your teacher directly via email or text if you will be late or absent.
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Make up lessons will be offered if the teacher needs to miss a class/lesson for any reason.
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Students are required to practice 5-6 days a week outside of lesson/class time, generally for the length of their lesson time. We encourage parents and teachers to communicate at the conclusion of the lesson regarding specific expectations for the week.
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Students are required to participate in the semester-end performance and attend for the full length of the recital. Please read about our recital etiquette here.
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Fall 2024 Recital: Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6PM in Recital Hall (FAC 189)
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Students enrolled in private lesson packages are required to participate in the monthly performance classes, which take place on select Mondays, 5-6:30PM in the Recital Hall (FAC 189). Students should plan to stay a minimum of 45 minutes, and scheduling requests cannot be guaranteed. Performance classes are optional for students in the PLP group class programs and are open to group class students on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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PLP group classes will be held in FAC 360 (piano lab). Private lessons will take place on the third floor of the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center. Exact room assignments TBA. On occasion, students may be asked to meet in the Recital Hall (FAC 189) or Dr. Welsh’s office (FAC 302).
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The parent/guardian is responsible for safe transportation to and from the instruction room. The PLP program and WKU Department of Music assume no liability for student safety to and from the parking lot/building to the PLP rooms.
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Students will only be released to parents/guardians unless a parent/guardian sends written permission prior to class time for an alternate person to pick up a student.
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Parking is free and open to the public in Hilltop Lot after 4:30PM on weekdays.
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Parents/guardians of new students are required to sign a photo/video release for students enrolled in lessons, as student teachers and recent graduates will be asked to film lessons for discussion and feedback. Photos may also be shared on social media and/or our website unless parents request otherwise.
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*Photos courtesy of Carrie Pratt.
Western Kentucky University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1948.
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